Microfiche camera

ABSTRACT

A table-top microfiche camera with a document platen on the top surface, a lens, shutter, film holder, an x-y slide system for moving the film holder to make exposures in a predetermined sequence on a piece of film, and an inner light-tight wall including a flexible bellows for sealing against the film pack during its x-y movements. The lens is mounted for movement in a lens mount and includes a format mask that moves temporarily into light-sealing contact with the film immediately prior to each exposure for holding the film flat to provide image accuracy and to minimize distortion, and for locating the film in perfect focus. The film pack includes a notch that registers with the lens for insertion into and removal from the film holder only when the film holder is in position such that the first row of frames of the film in the film pack is in line with the lens.

[4 1 Sept. 2, 1975 Primary Examiner.iohn M. Horan Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Schovee & Boston [57] ABSTRACT A table-top microfiche camera with adocument platen on the top surface, a lens, shutter, film holder, an x-yslide system for moving the film holder to make exposures in apredetermined sequence on a piece of film, and an inner light-tight wallincluding a flexible bellows for sealing against the film pack duringits x-y movements. The lens is mounted for movement in a lens mount andincludes a format mask that moves temporarily into light-sealing contactwith the film immediately prior to each exposure for holding the filmflat to provide image accuracy and to minimize distortion, and forlocating the film in perfect focus. The film pack includes a notch thatre for insertion into and removal only when the film holder is in firstrow of frames of the film in with the lens.

United States Patent [191 Harrison MICROFICHE CAMERA [75] Inventor: PaulW. Harrison, Hackensack, NJ. [73] Assignee: Schneider Corporation ofAmerica, Hackensack, NJ.

[22] Filed: Sept. 27, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 401,404

[52] 11.8. 354/125; 355/53 [51] Int. C1.G03b 19/02 [58] Field of Search354/123, 120, 121, 122, 354/124, 202, 286, 125; 355/53, 86, 95; 350/255[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3 Claims, 10 Drawing FiguresFIG. I

PI'Y'ENTED 21975 3,903,532

sum 1 [1F {5 PATENTEU SEF" 2 H575 3, 903 532 saw 2 0F 53 FIG. 2

MICROFICHE CAMERA BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates tothe production of microfiche and in particular to an improved table-topmicrofilm camera.

Microfilm cameras are well-known in the art, however, they are large andrelatively expensive pieces of equipment including, for example,expensive and complex means for holding the document flatagainst theplaten, and means for focusing the image on the film, and means forholding the film flat.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved,inexpensive, table-top microfilm camera that does not require theabove-referred to expensive and complex piecesof equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A document to be microfilmed is placed on theplaten on top of the camera housing and a print butt'on pushed. The lensmoves into light-tight contact with the film (holding the film flat andthe image in perfect focus), the shutter solenoid is then energized toopen the shutter, and the electronic flash unit is then energized makingthe exposure. The lens then moves out of contact with the film and thex-y slide system moves the film holder and the film pack receivedtherein a predetermined distance properly positioning the film for thenext exposure. A flexible bellows provides a light-lock against themoving film pack. A notch in the film pack ensures that if the film packfits into the film holder, the film holder has located the film suchthat the lens is in line with the first row of frames on the film.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be morefully understood by reference to the. following detailed descriptionthereof, when read in conjunction with the attached drawings, whereinlike reference numerals refer to like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partially cut-away, partially crosssectional side view ofthe camera of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the x-y slide system used in the cameraof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a partial cross-sectional view along line 33 of FIG. 2, andFIG. 3B is a front view of the film holder;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the film holder of FIG. 3B;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are enlarged side and front views of the lens andlifting cam;

I FIGS. 6A and 6B are a diagrammatic block diagram of the electricalsystem of the camera of FIG. I; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another embodi ment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference now tothe drawings, a brief description of the overall combination of elementsof the camera will first be made followed by a detailed description ofeach element. FIG. 1 shows a microfiche camera 10 made according to thepresent invention. The camera 10 includes a housing 12 having atransparent document platen 14 on a top surface 16 of the housing 12. Apair of electronic flash units 18 are located beneath the platen 14 forilluminating a document'20 on the platen 14. Light from the document 20is reflected from a mirror 22 toward a sheet of film 24 in a film pack26 inserted into'a film holder 27. The document image is focused on thefilm 24 by a lens 28 (by the terms lens is meant a lens system includinga desired number of individual glass or plastic lenses mounted in atubular sleeve) slidably mounted inside of a lens mount 30. Lightpassage through the lens 28 is controlled by a shutter 32. The locationon'the film 24 on which the exposure is to be made is controlled by anx-y slide system 34. The film 24 is located in the housing 12 within alight-tight inner wall 35 including a bellows 37. An upper portion ofthe film pack 26 is outside of the wall 36, extending through theflexible, light-tight bellows 37 whereby a light shield over the film 24can be removed after inserting the film pack 26 into the filmholder'27,'and whereby the exposed film can be shielded from light againbefore removal from the film holder. This feature is well-known in theart and a standard Polaroid brand Film Holder can be used as the filmpack 26 in the present invention.

The means for moving the lens 28 into contact with the film 24 will nowbe described in detail, with reference to'FIGS l and 5A and 5B. The lens28 is slidably mounted in the lens mount 30, which is connected to awall 80. A pair of cam (pin) followers 40 are connected to the lens 28on opposite sides thereof, and extend through grooves 41 in the lensmount 30, and are held by a spring 42 against a sliding cam surface 44on a lifting cam 46. The lifting cam 46 is mounted for vertical movementby a pair of pins 43 connected to the lens mount 30 and projectingthrough grooves 45 in the lifting cam 46 The cam 46 is held in a first(normal or rest) position (shown in FIG. 1) by a compression spring 52,and is moved to a second position when a pull solenoid 54 is energized.When the cam 46 moves to its second position, the spring 42 causes thecam followers 40 to ride down the cam surface 44 moving the lens 28toward the film 24 until a format mask 55 portion of the lens 28,including a precision ground surface 56, contacts the film 24 in alight-tight manner. The interior area surrounded by the surface 56defines the image area or frame on the film 24. The format mask surface56 holds the film 24 flat to the film pack back to maintain accuracy ofimage and to minimize distortion, and also to ensure that the documentimage is in exact focus on the film 24.

When the camera is not in use and when the steprepeat mechanism of thex-y slide system is moving the film pack 26 to a new location, and whenthe camera is waiting for a new instruction, the compression spring 52forces the listing cam 46 downward causing cam folowers 40 to ride upcam surface 44 until the precision ground surface 56 moves back clear ofthe film 24. When the print button is depressed, the pull solenoid 54 isenergized, which lifts the cam surface 44 to its second position,causing the lens 28 to move toward the film 24. The motion toward thefilm 24 ceases when the force of such motion is overcome by theresistance of the film 24 and film pack 26.

The shutter 32 includes a rotary solenoid which when energized moves asector-shaped shutter blade 72 out of the light path from the mirror 22to the lens system. This camera 10 can employ any of a number of knownlens systems and thus this element of the camera 10 need not bedescribed in detail. After the shutter is opened, the electronic flashunits l8 are energized to control the exposure.

The mirror 22 is preferably a A inch thick mirror clipped to a supportplate 74 mounted in turn on a support 76 by springs 78 on a 3-pointspring suspension system. a a

The light-tight inner wall ,36 includes a vertical wall 80 in which thelens mount 30 is mounted. The inner wall 36 also includes thesubstantiallyhorizontal, flexible, cloth bellows 37 including anaperture 84 that engages an upper end of the film pack 26 in light-tightmanner. Preferably the aperture 84 is slightly smaller than thecross-section of the film pack 26 so that as the film pack is inserted,it forces a flap 85 of the bellows material down alongside of it,providing the light-lock. The bellows 37 maintains the light-lock as thexv slide system moves the film pack 26 both vertically and horizontally.The film pack 26 is inserted in the film holder 27 first through anopening 86 in the surface 16, closed by a door 88, and then through theaperture 84. The

portion of the bellows adjacent the aperture 84 is preferably connectedto the top of the film holder 27. I The film holder 27 forms part of thex-y slide system and receives the film pack 26 therein. The film holder27 is shown in FIGS. l 4 and includes a metal sheet formed as shown,with 'a front opening 90, a bottom flange 92, and a notch 94 form'atingwith a raised rib 96' on the film pack 26 when the film pack iscompletely received within the film holder 27. Four flat springs 98are'attached to a back wall 100 of the film holder 27'for pressingagainst the back of the film pack 26 to force it as far forward aspossible to properly locate it in the film holder 27. v

The film holder 27 is slidably mounted on a pair of horizontal rods 102and 104, by bearings 106. Also mounted on the horizontal rods 102 and104 is a stepper rnotor 108 connected to a lead screw 110 in threadedengagement with a nut 112 connected to one of the bearing blocks. Themotor 108 thus controls the .r-position of the film holder 27.

The'two rods 102 and 104 are slidably mounted on two vertical rods 114and 116 by a pair of linear bearings on each rod 102 and 104. A steppermotor 118 is mounted to a stationary base of the housing 12 and isconnected to a lead screw 120, the other end of which is connected to arigid arm 122. The lead screw 120 is threadingly connected to a nut 124in a bar 126 having a bearing 128 riding on rod 104. The motor 118 thuscontrols the vertical movement of the film holder 27. The operation ofthis type of x-y slide system is well known to those skilled in the artand need not be described in further detail.

With reference now particularly to FIGS. 3 and 3A, the film pack 26includes the rib 96 that fits into the notch 94 in the film holder 27. Abottom flange 152 of I the film pack 26 has a notch 150 therein thepurpose of which is to allow the film pack 26 to be withdrawn from andinserted into the film holder over the lens 28. The lens 28 even in itsretracted position, is still close to the film, as shown in FIG. 3. Thenotch 150 is in line with the first row of frames of film in the filmpack 26. Since, after the printing of one sheet of film is completed,the x-y slide system and the electric circuit automatically moves thefilm holder to the position for printing frame number 1 (in the lowerleft hand corner of the film as the film is viewed from the left in FIG.1 in the film pack--but in the upper left hand comer as the microfichewill be viewed),-the notch provides the operator with a check on anypossible malfunctioning in the camera. That "is, if the film pack 26will not come out or will not go in, then-the lens mount is not alignedwith the first .row of frames asit should be.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of the electrical circuit'in thecamera of the present invention. Since the ,circuit itself forms nopartof the present claimed invention, a detailed description thereof .is notnecessary, however, the information in FIG. 6 is provided to completethe overall picture and will be readily understood by one skilled in theart.

For example, referring to FIG. 6, when the PRINT- lADVANCE button isdepressed on a front panel 154, the BCD ripple counter'causes thefollowing sequence of functions to occur, (I) move the lens 28 onto thefilm 24, then (2) open the shutter 32, then (3) fire the electronicflash units 18, then (4) close the shutter, remove the lens 28'from thefilm, and either advance one frame or return to frame one. The latterstep is carried out by the x-axis and the y-axis frame counters andxaxis and y-axis stepper motors.

Further, it is noted that the circuit provides sufficient time delays toallowthe vibrations caused by the motion of the lens to damp out beforean exposure is made, and further to assure that the lens is in theproper position before the next function is initiated. The electroniccircuit also provides an automatic filing feature as follows. A standardform for a microfiche includes an index for future reference. Ratherthan keep the bulky table of contents around, convention has it that thelast few frames of the microfiche be reserved for making file copies ofthis index (usually no more than three or four sheets of index).Normally, records are put on a microfiche from upper left, line by line,to lower right. However, the first file copy of the index sheet goes inthe lower right frame and the second sheet in the next to the lastframe, etc. In this way, the first sheet of the index can be foundquickly and easily by just going to the lower right frame.

To make an exposure, the operator needs only depress the PRINT buttonand the electronic circuit carries out both operations in sequence. Whenit is time to record the table of contents, the operator depresses theindex button, and the circuit carries out the three functions of: (l the.x-y slide system drives the film 24 to position the last frame in theexposure position behind the lens system, (2) the electronic logicswitches itself so that the camera advances in reverse after eachexposure, and (3) the light emitting diode frame counter lights with F1,telling the operator to file the first index sheet, as soon as steps Iand (2) are complete.

To record the first index sheet, the operator then depresses the PRINTbutton. The camera 10 prints, backs up to the next to the last frame,and the counter lights up F2. When the operator finishes filing theindex, he depresses the UNLOAD button. This moves the film pack 26 backto the exposure position for frame 1, locks out the PRINT button toprevent double exposures, and then turns on a light over the UNLOADbutton. This tells the operator that the film pack 26 can be removed forprocessing. During normal exposure, the film pack 26 locks into thecamera 10, to prevent premature removal.

a A second embodiment of the mirror 22 will now be described withreference to FIG. 7. In this embodiment the mirror 22 is mounted forpivotal movement about a horizontal shaft 160 by a lever 162 outside thehousing 12. By flipping this lever 162, the mirror is turned 90 wherebya document can be placed below and in contact with a second documentplaten 164 located below the platen 14. The second platen 164 is used,if desired, by placing a document below platen 164 faceup against theplaten by any known means. The remaining steps of the operation are thesame as when using platen 14.

The present invention has been described in detail with reference to thepreferred embodiments thereof, however, the present invention is not tobe limited to the details thereof but includes various modificationsthereof as will be understood by one skilled in the art. For example,the invention is useful with any type of light-sensitive material andnot just silver halide. The term film" is hereby defined for use in thepresent specification and claims as including all light-sensitivematerials. The film may be removed from the camera for development or itcan be developed inside the camera 10. Other optical arrangements can beused having more mirrors or having no mirrors at all. Other means thanthe disclosed x-y slide system can be used for properly locating eachimage in the correct position on the film. The term format mask"is-hereby defined to mean a wall that defines the size of the exposedmicrofilm frame, and an end surface that provides a lightlock. I

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference tothe preferred embodiment thereof,

but it will be understood that variations and modifications can beeffected within the-spirit and scope of the invention as describedhereinabove and asdefined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a microfilm camera including a film holder for holding a sheet offilm and a lens mounted in a lens mount for exposing said film, theimprovement wherein said. lens includes a format mask with a flatsurface at the end thereof adjacent said film holder, means for holdingsaid lens in a first position with said surface spaced away from anyfilm in said film holder and for moving said lens and format masktowards said film a predetermined distance such that said surfacecontacts said film in light-tight engagement therewith, said lensincludes a pair of opposed cam follower pins on opposite sides thereof,said holding and moving means including a U-shaped yoke including a pairof arms one positioned on each side of said lens mount with a camsurface on each arm, one in engagement with each of said cam followerpins, guide means for guiding said lens toward and away from said filmholder, said yoke having a first position in which said lens is in saidfirst position and a second position in which said lens is in saidsecond position with said format mask surface in light-tight engagementwith said film, said holding and moving means including spring means forholding said yoke in said first position and solenoid means for moving,when energized, said yoke into its second position.

2. In a microfilm camera including a film holder for holding a sheet offilm and a lens mounted in a lens mount for exposing said film, saidlens comprising a lens system including a predetermined number ofoptical elements fixedly mounted in a tubular sleeve slidably mounted insaid lens mount, the improvement wherein said tubular sleeve includes aformat mask with a flat surface at the end thereof adjacent said filmholder, means for moving said tubular sleeve back and forth between afirst position in which said flat surface of said format mask is spacedaway from said film in said film holder and a second position in whichsaid flat surface of said format mask contacts said film in lighttightengagement therewith, said tubular sleeve includes a pair of opposed camfollower pins on opposite sides thereof, said moving means includes aU-shaped yoke including a pair of arms one positioned on each side ofsaid tubular sleeve with a cam surface on each arm, one in engagementwith each of said cam follower pins, guide means for guiding saidtubular sleeve in toward and away from said film holder, said yokehaving a first position in which said tubular sleeve is in said firstposition and a second position in which said tubular sleeve is in saidsecond position, said moving means including a first spring for holdingsaid yoke in said first position and a solenoid having a longitudinallymovable actuating pin positioned for movement in a directionperpendicular to the movement of said tubular sleeve, for moving, whenenergized, said yoke into its second position.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 including a second springcontinuously urging said tubular sleeve toward its second position, saidsolenoid operating, when energized, against said first spring and movingsaid yoke to its second position allowing said first spring to move saidtubular sleeve to its second position.

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIONPATENT N0. 3,903,532 DATED September 2, 1975 |NV ENTOR(S) Paul W.Harrison it is certified that error appears in the above-identifiedpatent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In Claim 1, column 6, line t, after "lens" insert --in-.

Signed and Scalcd this second Day of M1975 [SEAL] A nest:

RUTH C. MASON (I- MARSHALL DAMN Altesling Officer Commissioner of Parims and Trademarks UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICECERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENTNO. 3,903,532 DATED September 2, 1975|NVENTOR( 1 Paul W. Harrison It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

In Claim 1, column 6, line 4, after- "lens" insert --in--.

Signed and scald this A nest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL [IAIN Arresting Officer (ommissiuner ofPutin!! and, Tmdenlcrks

1. In a microfilm camera including a film holder for holding a sheet offilm and a lens mounted in a lens mount for exposing said film, theimprovement wherein said lens includes a format mask with a flat surfaceat the end thereof adjacent said film holder, means for holding saidlens in a first position with said surface spaced away from any film insaid film holder and for moving said lens and format mask towards saidfilm a predetermined distance such that said surface contacts said filmin light-tight engagement therewith, said lens includes a pair ofopposed cam follower pins on opposite sides thereof, said holding andmoving means including a U-shaped yoke including a pair of arms onepositioned on each side of said lens mount with a cam surface on eacharm, one in engagement with each of said cam follower pins, guide meansfor guiding said lens toward and away from said film holder, said yokehaving a first position in which said lens is in said first position anda second position in which said lens is in said second position withsaid format mask surface in light-tight engagement with said film, saidholding and moving means including spring means for holding said yoke insaid first position and solenoid means for moving, when energized, saidyoke into its second position.
 2. In a microfilm camera including a filmholder for holding a sheet of film and a lens mounted in a lens mountfor exposing said film, said lens comprising a lens system including apredetermined number of optical elements fixedly mounted in a tubularsleeve slidably mounted in said lens mount, the improvement wherein saidtubular sleeve includes a format mask with a flat surface at the endthereof adjacent said film holder, means for moving said tubular sleeveback and forth between a first position in which said flat surface ofsaid format mask is spaced away from said film in said film holder and asecond position in which said flat surface of said format mask contactssaid film in light-tight engagement therewith, said tubular sleeveincludes a pair of opposed cam follower pins on opposite sides thereof,said moving means includes a U-shaped yoke including a pair of arms onepositioned on each side of said tubular sleeve with a cam surface oneach arm, one in engagement with each of said cam follower pins, guidemeans for guiding said tubular sleeve in toward and away from said filmholder, said yoke having a first position in which said tubular sleeveis in said first position and a second position in which said tubularsleeve is in said second position, said moving means including a firstspring for holding said yoke in said first position and a solenoidhaving a longitudinally movable actuating pin positioned for movement ina direction perpendicular to the movement of said tubular sleeve, formoving, when energized, said yoke into its second position.
 3. THeapparatus according to claim 2 including a second spring continuouslyurging said tubular sleeve toward its second position, said solenoidoperating, when energized, against said first spring and moving saidyoke to its second position allowing said first spring to move saidtubular sleeve to its second position.